Efficient and extensive function groups with multi-instance function support for cloud based processing

ABSTRACT

A method, computer program, and computer system is provided for multi-instance Network-Based Media Processing (NBMP) function execution. A function call corresponding to an NBMP request is received. A function is retrieved from among a function group having a function descriptor, the retrieved function corresponding to the received function call. One or more instances of the retrieved function are executed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser.No. 16/909,383 filed Jun. 23, 2020, which claims priority based on U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/867,043 (filed Jun. 26, 2019), theentireties of which are incorporated herein.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to field of data processing, and moreparticularly to media processing.

BACKGROUND

The Network-based Media Processing (NBMP) standard was developed toaddress fragmentation and offer a unified way to perform mediaprocessing on top of any cloud platform and on any IP network. NBMP usesFunctions and Function Groups. Function Groups are listed as Functionsin the repository, and using the connection map descriptor, eachFunction Group describes the Functions it uses and how they areconnected in its workflow. Since not all inputs and outputs, and alsoconfigurations of a Function may be used in a Function Group, theserestrictions are described as part of the Function Descriptor. For eachFunction Group of which a Function is a member, the restrictions may bedescribed separately as part of the Function Descriptor.

SUMMARY

Embodiments relate to a method, system, and computer readable medium formulti-instance NBMP function execution. According to one aspect, amethod for multi-instance NBMP function is provided. The method mayinclude receiving a function call corresponding to an NBMP request. Afunction may be retrieved from among a function group having a functiondescriptor, the retrieved function corresponding to the receivedfunction call. One or more instances of the retrieved function may beexecuted.

According to another aspect, a computer system for multi-instance NBMPfunction execution is provided. The computer system may include one ormore processors, one or more computer-readable memories, one or morecomputer-readable tangible storage devices, and program instructionsstored on at least one of the one or more storage devices for executionby at least one of the one or more processors via at least one of theone or more memories, whereby the computer system is capable ofperforming a method. The method may include receiving a function callcorresponding to an NBMP request. A function may be retrieved from amonga function group having a function descriptor, the retrieved functioncorresponding to the received function call. One or more instances ofthe retrieved function may be executed.

According to yet another aspect, a computer readable medium formulti-instance NBMP function execution is provided. The computerreadable medium may include one or more computer-readable storagedevices and program instructions stored on at least one of the one ormore tangible storage devices, the program instructions executable by aprocessor. The program instructions are executable by a processor forperforming a method that may accordingly include receiving a functioncall corresponding to an NBMP request. A function may be retrieved fromamong a function group having a function descriptor, the retrievedfunction corresponding to the received function call. One or moreinstances of the retrieved function may be executed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects, features and advantages will become apparentfrom the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments,which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. Thevarious features of the drawings are not to scale as the illustrationsare for clarity in facilitating the understanding of one skilled in theart in conjunction with the detailed description. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a networked computer environment according to atleast one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system for multi-instance NBMP functionexecution, according to at least one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an operational flowchart illustrating the steps carried out bya program for multi-instance NBMP function execution, according to atleast one embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of internal and external components ofcomputers and servers depicted in FIG. 1 according to at least oneembodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an illustrative cloud computing environmentincluding the computer system depicted in FIG. 1 , according to at leastone embodiment; and

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of functional layers of the illustrative cloudcomputing environment of FIG. 5 , according to at least one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed embodiments of the claimed structures and methods are disclosedherein; however, it can be understood that the disclosed embodiments aremerely illustrative of the claimed structures and methods that may beembodied in various forms. Those structures and methods may, however, beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplaryembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete and will fully convey the scope to those skilled in the art. Inthe description, details of well-known features and techniques may beomitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the presented embodiments.

Embodiments relate generally to the field of data processing, and moreparticularly to media processing. The following described exemplaryembodiments provide a system, method and computer program to, amongother things, execute multiple instances of NBMP functions. Therefore,some embodiments have the capacity to improve the field of computing byallowing for flexibility in the size of NBMP function descriptors andthe ability to execute several instances of a function that may havediffering restrictions.

As previously described, the Network-based Media Processing (NBMP)standard was developed to address fragmentation and offer a unified wayto perform media processing on top of any cloud platform and on any IPnetwork. NBMP uses Functions and Function Groups. Function Groups arelisted as Functions in the repository, and using the connection mapdescriptor, each Function Group describes the Functions it uses and howthey are connected in its workflow. Since not all inputs and outputs,and also configurations of a Function may be used in a Function Group,these restrictions are described as part of the Function Descriptor. Foreach Function Group of which a Function is a member, the restrictionsmay be described separately as part of the Function Descriptor. However,the size of a Function descriptor may grow linearly with the number ofFunction Groups in which it is a member. Therefore, popular Functionsmay have large size descriptors in the repository, which may make themless efficient to retrieve. It may be advantageous, therefore, forpopular Functions, which may be used more often, to have more compactdescriptors. This may allow for the use of additional restrictionsbesides the input/output/config restrictions to each Function when it isused in the Function Group. The use of compact descriptors may allowdifferent instances of a single Function to have different restrictions.

Aspects are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrationsand/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computerreadable media according to the various embodiments. It will beunderstood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or blockdiagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrationsand/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable programinstructions.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , a functional block diagram of a networkedcomputer environment illustrating a media processing system 100(hereinafter “system”) for multi-instance NBMP function execution. Itshould be appreciated that FIG. 1 provides only an illustration of oneimplementation and does not imply any limitations with regard to theenvironments in which different embodiments may be implemented. Manymodifications to the depicted environments may be made based on designand implementation requirements.

The system 100 may include a computer 102 and a server computer 114. Thecomputer 102 may communicate with the server computer 114 via acommunication network 110 (hereinafter “network”). The computer 102 mayinclude a processor 104 and a software program 108 that is stored on adata storage device 106 and is enabled to interface with a user andcommunicate with the server computer 114. As will be discussed belowwith reference to FIG. 4 the computer 102 may include internalcomponents 800A and external components 900A, respectively, and theserver computer 114 may include internal components 800B and externalcomponents 900B, respectively. The computer 102 may be, for example, amobile device, a telephone, a personal digital assistant, a netbook, alaptop computer, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, or any type ofcomputing devices capable of running a program, accessing a network, andaccessing a database.

The server computer 114 may also operate in a cloud computing servicemodel, such as Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service(PaaS), or Infrastructure as a Service (laaS), as discussed below withrespect to FIGS. 5 and 6 . The server computer 114 may also be locatedin a cloud computing deployment model, such as a private cloud,community cloud, public cloud, or hybrid cloud.

The server computer 114, which may be used for multi-instance NBMPfunction execution is enabled to run an Multi-Instance NBMP FunctionExecution Program 116 (hereinafter “program”) that may interact with adatabase 112. The Multi-Instance NBMP Function Execution Program methodis explained in more detail below with respect to FIG. 3 . In oneembodiment, the computer 102 may operate as an input device including auser interface while the program 116 may run primarily on servercomputer 114. In an alternative embodiment, the program 116 may runprimarily on one or more computers 102 while the server computer 114 maybe used for processing and storage of data used by the program 116. Itshould be noted that the program 116 may be a standalone program or maybe integrated into a larger multi-instance NBMP function executionprogram.

It should be noted, however, that processing for the program 116 may, insome instances be shared amongst the computers 102 and the servercomputers 114 in any ratio. In another embodiment, the program 116 mayoperate on more than one computer, server computer, or some combinationof computers and server computers, for example, a plurality of computers102 communicating across the network 110 with a single server computer114. In another embodiment, for example, the program 116 may operate ona plurality of server computers 114 communicating across the network 110with a plurality of client computers. Alternatively, the program mayoperate on a network server communicating across the network with aserver and a plurality of client computers.

The network 110 may include wired connections, wireless connections,fiber optic connections, or some combination thereof In general, thenetwork 110 can be any combination of connections and protocols thatwill support communications between the computer 102 and the servercomputer 114. The network 110 may include various types of networks,such as, for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network(WAN) such as the Internet, a telecommunication network such as thePublic Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a wireless network, a publicswitched network, a satellite network, a cellular network (e.g., a fifthgeneration (5G) network, a long-term evolution (LTE) network, a thirdgeneration (3G) network, a code division multiple access (CDMA) network,etc.), a public land mobile network (PLMN), a metropolitan area network(MAN), a private network, an ad hoc network, an intranet, a fiberoptic-based network, or the like, and/or a combination of these or othertypes of networks.

The number and arrangement of devices and networks shown in FIG. 1 areprovided as an example. In practice, there may be additional devicesand/or networks, fewer devices and/or networks, different devices and/ornetworks, or differently arranged devices and/or networks than thoseshown in FIG. 1 . Furthermore, two or more devices shown in FIG. 1 maybe implemented within a single device, or a single device shown in FIG.1 may be implemented as multiple, distributed devices. Additionally, oralternatively, a set of devices (e.g., one or more devices) of system100 may perform one or more functions described as being performed byanother set of devices of system 100.

Referring now to FIG. 2 , a block diagram 200 of an exemplary NBMPReference Architecture is depicted. The NBMP Reference Architecture mayinclude, among other things, a cloud manager 202, an NBMP source 204, anNBMP workflow manager 206, a function repository 208, a media source210, a media processing entity 212, and a media sink 214. The NBMPsource 204 may make API calls to the NBMP workflow manager 206. The APIcall to the NBMP source may include workflow description information.The NBMP workflow manager 206 may make API calls to the media processingentity 212 via the cloud manager 202. The API calls to the NBMP workflowmanager 206 may include NMBP task function calls and NBMP link functioncalls with one or more descriptors. Each descriptor may describe one ormore additional restrictions for each Function instance that may be usedin a Function Group. The descriptors defined below may allow values forthe Function instance to be used in the Function Group.

instance may describe an instance identifier. General may describe arestriction of the general descriptor for an instance. Input maydescribe a restriction of input descriptor for an instance. Output maydescribe a restriction of output descriptor for an instance. Processingmay describe a restriction of processing descriptor for an instance.Requirement may describe a restriction of requirement descriptor for aninstance. Configuration may describe a restriction of configurationdescriptor for an instance. Client_Assistance may describe a restrictionof client assistant descriptor for an instance. Monitoring may describea restriction of monitoring descriptor for an instance. Acknowledge maydescribe a restriction of acknowledge descriptor for an instance.

Additionally, a processing parameter instance may specify an identifierfor one Instance of a Function. An Instance of a Function may haveunique restrictions in a Function Group. This identifier may be uniquefor each Instance in the same Function Group. If a Function is used morethan once in one Function Group with identical restrictions, theserestrictions may be defined by one Instance of that Function.

The function group may contain one or more restrictions. A sizeassociated with the function descriptor may be independent of a numberof function groups to which a function belongs. Each function maycontain restrictions based on the function descriptor. The restrictionsmay include an instance identifier, a general descriptor, a processingdescriptor, a requirement descriptor, a client assistance descriptor, amonitoring descriptor, and an acknowledgment descriptor. Each of the oneor more instances of the retrieved function corresponds to the retrievedfunction being executed multiple times within one function group. Eachinstance may have its own restrictions.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , an operational flowchart 300 illustrating thesteps carried out by a program for multi-instance NBMP functionexecution is depicted. FIG. 3 may be described with the aid of FIGS. 1and 2 . As previously described, the Multi-Instance NBMP FunctionExecution Program 116 (FIG. 1 ) may allow for the execution of multipleinstances of an NBMP function with differing restrictions between theinstances.

At 302, a function call corresponding to an NBMP request is received.The function call may include, among other things, a request for mediacontent. In operation, the Multi-Instance NBMP Function ExecutionProgram 116 (FIG. 1 ) on the server computer 114 (FIG. 1 ) may receive arequest for workflow manager 206 (FIG. 2 ) to execute a function.

At 304, a function is retrieved from among a function group having afunction descriptor, the retrieved function corresponding to thereceived function call. The function may belong to one of severalfunction groups, each of which may have its own restrictions that may bedescribed using separate function descriptors. In operation,Multi-Instance NBMP Function Execution Program 116 (FIG. 1 ) may directthe NBMP workflow manager 206 (FIG. 2 ) to retrieve a function from thefunction repository 208 (FIG. 2 ) based on the received function call.

At 306, one or more instances of the retrieved function are executed.Each instance of a function may have different restrictions in order toallow for flexibility. In operation, the Multi-Instance NBMP FunctionExecution Program 116 (FIG. 1 ) may execute multiple instances of thefunction retrieved from the function repository 208 (FIG. 2 ).

It may be appreciated that FIG. 3 provides only an illustration of oneimplementation and does not imply any limitations with regard to howdifferent embodiments may be implemented. Many modifications to thedepicted environments may be made based on design and implementationrequirements.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram 400 of internal and external components ofcomputers depicted in FIG. 1 in accordance with an illustrativeembodiment. It should be appreciated that FIG. 4 provides only anillustration of one implementation and does not imply any limitationswith regard to the environments in which different embodiments may beimplemented. Many modifications to the depicted environments may be madebased on design and implementation requirements.

Computer 102 (FIG. 1 ) and server computer 114 (FIG. 1 ) may includerespective sets of internal components 800A,B and external components900A,B illustrated in FIG. 4 . Each of the sets of internal components800 include one or more processors 820, one or more computer-readableRAMs 822 and one or more computer-readable ROMs 824 on one or more buses826, one or more operating systems 828, and one or morecomputer-readable tangible storage devices 830.

Processor 820 is implemented in hardware, firmware, or a combination ofhardware and software. Processor 820 is a central processing unit (CPU),a graphics processing unit (GPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU),a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), afield-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), or another type of processing component. In someimplementations, processor 820 includes one or more processors capableof being programmed to perform a function. Bus 826 includes a componentthat permits communication among the internal components 800A,B.

The one or more operating systems 828, the software program 108 (FIG. 1) and the Multi-Instance NBMP Function Execution Program 116 (FIG. 1 )on server computer 114 (FIG. 1 ) are stored on one or more of therespective computer-readable tangible storage devices 830 for executionby one or more of the respective processors 820 via one or more of therespective RAMs 822 (which typically include cache memory). In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 , each of the computer-readabletangible storage devices 830 is a magnetic disk storage device of aninternal hard drive. Alternatively, each of the computer-readabletangible storage devices 830 is a semiconductor storage device such asROM 824, EPROM, flash memory, an optical disk, a magneto-optic disk, asolid state disk, a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), afloppy disk, a cartridge, a magnetic tape, and/or another type ofnon-transitory computer-readable tangible storage device that can storea computer program and digital information.

Each set of internal components 800A,B also includes a R/W drive orinterface 832 to read from and write to one or more portablecomputer-readable tangible storage devices 936 such as a CD-ROM, DVD,memory stick, magnetic tape, magnetic disk, optical disk orsemiconductor storage device. A software program, such as the softwareprogram 108 (FIG. 1 ) and the Multi-Instance NBMP Function ExecutionProgram 116 (FIG. 1 ) can be stored on one or more of the respectiveportable computer-readable tangible storage devices 936, read via therespective R/W drive or interface 832 and loaded into the respectivehard drive 830.

Each set of internal components 800A,B also includes network adapters orinterfaces 836 such as a TCP/IP adapter cards; wireless Wi-Fi interfacecards; or 3G, 4G, or 5G wireless interface cards or other wired orwireless communication links. The software program 108 (FIG. 1 ) and theMulti-Instance NBMP Function Execution Program 116 (FIG. 1 ) on theserver computer 114 (FIG. 1 ) can be downloaded to the computer 102(FIG. 1 ) and server computer 114 from an external computer via anetwork (for example, the Internet, a local area network or other, widearea network) and respective network adapters or interfaces 836. Fromthe network adapters or interfaces 836, the software program 108 and theMulti-Instance NBMP Function Execution Program 116 on the servercomputer 114 are loaded into the respective hard drive 830. The networkmay comprise copper wires, optical fibers, wireless transmission,routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers.

Each of the sets of external components 900A,B can include a computerdisplay monitor 920, a keyboard 930, and a computer mouse 934. Externalcomponents 900A,B can also include touch screens, virtual keyboards,touch pads, pointing devices, and other human interface devices. Each ofthe sets of internal components 800A,B also includes device drivers 840to interface to computer display monitor 920, keyboard 930 and computermouse 934. The device drivers 840, R/W drive or interface 832 andnetwork adapter or interface 836 comprise hardware and software (storedin storage device 830 and/or ROM 824).

It is understood in advance that although this disclosure includes adetailed description on cloud computing, implementation of the teachingsrecited herein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather,some embodiments are capable of being implemented in conjunction withany other type of computing environment now known or later developed.

Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling convenient,on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computingresources (e.g. networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing,memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that canbe rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort orinteraction with a provider of the service. This cloud model may includeat least five characteristics, at least three service models, and atleast four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provisioncomputing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, asneeded automatically without requiring human interaction with theservice's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network andaccessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneousthin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to servemultiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physicaland virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according todemand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumergenerally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of theprovided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher levelof abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elasticallyprovisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out andrapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capabilitiesavailable for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can bepurchased in any quantity at any time.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimizeresource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level ofabstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage,processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource usage can bemonitored, controlled, and reported providing transparency for both theprovider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure.The applications are accessible from various client devices through athin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based e-mail).The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloudinfrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, storage,or even individual application capabilities, with the possible exceptionof limited user-specific application configuration settings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquiredapplications created using programming languages and tools supported bythe provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, orstorage, but has control over the deployed applications and possiblyapplication hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (laaS): the capability provided to theconsumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and otherfundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy andrun arbitrary software, which can include operating systems andapplications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage,deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networkingcomponents (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for anorganization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party andmay exist on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by severalorganizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns(e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and complianceconsiderations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third partyand may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the generalpublic or a large industry group and is owned by an organization sellingcloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or moreclouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities butare bound together by standardized or proprietary technology thatenables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting forload-balancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus onstatelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability.At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure comprising anetwork of interconnected nodes.

Referring to FIG. 5 , illustrative cloud computing environment 500 isdepicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 500 comprises one ormore cloud computing nodes 10 with which local computing devices used bycloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA)or cellular telephone 54A, desktop computer 54B, laptop computer 54C,and/or automobile computer system 54N may communicate. Cloud computingnodes 10 may communicate with one another. They may be grouped (notshown) physically or virtually, in one or more networks, such asPrivate, Community, Public, or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove,or a combination thereof This allows cloud computing environment 500 tooffer infrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for which acloud consumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computingdevice. It is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shownin FIG. 5 are intended to be illustrative only and that cloud computingnodes 10 and cloud computing environment 500 can communicate with anytype of computerized device over any type of network and/or networkaddressable connection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring to FIG. 6 , a set of functional abstraction layers 600provided by cloud computing environment 500 (FIG. 5 ) is shown. Itshould be understood in advance that the components, layers, andfunctions shown in FIG. 6 are intended to be illustrative only andembodiments are not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layersand corresponding functions are provided:

Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include: mainframes 61; RISC(Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture based servers 62;servers 63; blade servers 64; storage devices 65; and networks andnetworking components 66. In some embodiments, software componentsinclude network application server software 67 and database software 68.

Virtualization layer 70 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers71; virtual storage 72; virtual networks 73, including virtual privatenetworks; virtual applications and operating systems 74; and virtualclients 75.

In one example, management layer 80 may provide the functions describedbelow. Resource provisioning 81 provides dynamic procurement ofcomputing resources and other resources that are utilized to performtasks within the cloud computing environment. Metering and Pricing 82provide cost tracking as resources are utilized within the cloudcomputing environment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may comprise applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources.User portal 83 provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management 84provides cloud computing resource allocation and management such thatrequired service levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planningand fulfillment 85 provide pre-arrangement for, and procurement of,cloud computing resources for which a future requirement is anticipatedin accordance with an SLA.

Workloads layer 90 provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation 91; software development and lifecycle management 92; virtualclassroom education delivery 93; data analytics processing 94;transaction processing 95; and Multi-Instance NBMP Function Execution96. Multi-Instance NBMP Function Execution 96 may allow for theexecution of multiple instances of an NBMP function.

Some embodiments may relate to a system, a method, and/or a computerreadable medium at any possible technical detail level of integration.The computer readable medium may include a computer-readablenon-transitory storage medium (or media) having computer readableprogram instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry outoperations.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program code/instructions for carrying out operationsmay be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA)instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions,microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, configuration datafor integrated circuitry, or either source code or object code writtenin any combination of one or more programming languages, including anobject oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++, or thelike, and procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programminglanguage or similar programming languages. The computer readable programinstructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on theuser's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user'scomputer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remotecomputer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may beconnected to the user's computer through any type of network, includinga local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or theconnection may be made to an external computer (for example, through theInternet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments,electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logiccircuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logicarrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions byutilizing state information of the computer readable programinstructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order toperform aspects or operations.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer readable media according to variousembodiments. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or blockdiagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions,which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing thespecified logical function(s). The method, computer system, and computerreadable medium may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, differentblocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted in theFigures. In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblocks may occur out of the order noted in the Figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently orsubstantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed inthe reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It willalso be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/orflowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purposehardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts orcarry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computerinstructions.

It will be apparent that systems and/or methods, described herein, maybe implemented in different forms of hardware, firmware, or acombination of hardware and software. The actual specialized controlhardware or software code used to implement these systems and/or methodsis not limiting of the implementations. Thus, the operation and behaviorof the systems and/or methods were described herein without reference tospecific software code—it being understood that software and hardwaremay be designed to implement the systems and/or methods based on thedescription herein.

No element, act, or instruction used herein should be construed ascritical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as usedherein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or moreitems, and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Furthermore,as used herein, the term “set” is intended to include one or more items(e.g., related items, unrelated items, a combination of related andunrelated items, etc.), and may be used interchangeably with “one ormore.” Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similarlanguage is used. Also, as used herein, the terms “has,” “have,”“having,” or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, thephrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on”unless explicitly stated otherwise.

The descriptions of the various aspects and embodiments have beenpresented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to beexhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Even thoughcombinations of features are recited in the claims and/or disclosed inthe specification, these combinations are not intended to limit thedisclosure of possible implementations. In fact, many of these featuresmay be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and/ordisclosed in the specification. Although each dependent claim listedbelow may directly depend on only one claim, the disclosure of possibleimplementations includes each dependent claim in combination with everyother claim in the claim set. Many modifications and variations will beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing fromthe scope of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein waschosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practicalapplication or technical improvement over technologies found in themarketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art tounderstand the embodiments disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for multi-instance Network-Based MediaProcessing (NBMP) function execution, the method performed by at leastone processor and comprising: receiving a function call corresponding toan NBMP request; retrieving one or more instances of a function fromamong a plurality of functions in a function group based on the functioncall and a function group processing descriptor associated with thefunction group, wherein the function group processing descriptorincludes a unique instance identifier for each instance of the one ormore instances of the function, wherein the one or more instances of thefunction correspond to the function being executed multiple times withinone function group with each execution having a respective unique set ofrestrictions; and executing the one or more instances of the function.2. The method of claim 1, wherein a connection map object in thefunction group processing descriptor includes the unique instanceidentifier for each of the one or more instances of the function.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein a size associated with a function descriptorassociated with the function is independent of a number of functiongroups to which the function belongs.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereineach instance of the one or more instances of the function is associatedwith a respective unique set of restrictions.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein the respective unique set of restrictions comprises one or morerestrictions in at least one of: a general descriptor, a processingdescriptor, a requirement descriptor, a client assistance descriptor, amonitoring descriptor, and an acknowledgment descriptor.
 6. The methodof claim 1, wherein the function group processing descriptor comprises afunction restriction object, wherein the function restriction objectincludes the respective unique set of restrictions.
 7. A computer systemfor multi-instance Network-Based Media Processing (NBMP) functionexecution, the computer system comprising: one or more computer-readablenon-transitory storage media configured to store computer program code;and one or more computer processors configured to access said computerprogram code and operate as instructed by said computer program code,said computer program code including: receiving code configured to causethe one or more computer processors to receive a function callcorresponding to an NBMP request; retrieving code configured to causethe one or more computer processors to retrieve one or more instances ofa function from among a plurality of functions in a function group basedon the function call and a function group processing descriptorassociated with the function group, wherein the function groupprocessing descriptor includes a unique instance identifier for eachinstance of the one or more instances of the function, wherein the oneor more instances of the function correspond to the function beingexecuted multiple times within one function group with each executionhaving a respective unique set of restrictions; and executing codeconfigured to cause the one or more computer processors to execute theone or more instances of the function.
 8. The computer system of claim7, wherein a connection map object in the function group processingdescriptor includes the unique instance identifier for each of the oneor more instances of the function.
 9. The computer system of claim 7,wherein a size associated with a function descriptor associated with thefunction is independent of a number of function groups to which thefunction belongs.
 10. The computer system of claim 7, wherein eachinstance of the one or more instances of the function is associated witha respective unique set of restrictions.
 11. The computer system ofclaim 10, wherein the respective unique set of restrictions comprisesone or more restrictions in at least one of: a general descriptor, aprocessing descriptor, a requirement descriptor, a client assistancedescriptor, a monitoring descriptor, and an acknowledgment descriptor.12. The computer system of claim 7, wherein the function groupprocessing descriptor comprises a function restriction object, whereinthe function restriction object includes the respective unique set ofrestrictions.
 13. A non-transitory computer readable medium havingstored thereon a computer program for multi-instance Network-Based MediaProcessing (NBMP) function execution, the computer program configured tocause one or more computer processors to: receive a function callcorresponding to an NBMP request; retrieve one or more instances of afunction from among a plurality of functions in a function group basedon the function call and a function group processing descriptorassociated with the function group, wherein the function groupprocessing descriptor includes a unique instance identifier for eachinstance of the one or more instances of the function, wherein the oneor more instances of the function correspond to the function beingexecuted multiple times within one function group with each executionhaving a respective unique set of restrictions; and execute the one ormore instances of the function.
 14. The non-transitory computer readablemedium of claim 13, a connection map object in the function groupprocessing descriptor includes the unique instance identifier for eachof the one or more instances of the function.
 15. The non-transitorycomputer readable medium of claim 13, wherein a size associated with afunction descriptor associated with the function is independent of anumber of function groups to which the function belongs.
 16. Thenon-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein eachinstance of the one or more instances of the function is associated witha respective unique set of restrictions.
 17. The non-transitory computerreadable medium of claim 16, wherein the respective unique set ofrestrictions comprises one or more restrictions in at ;east one of: ageneral descriptor, a processing descriptor, a requirement descriptor, aclient assistance descriptor, a monitoring descriptor, and anacknowledgment descriptor.
 18. The non-transitory computer readablemedium of claim 13, wherein the function group processing descriptorcomprises a function restriction object, wherein the functionrestriction object includes the respective unique set of restrictions.